Electric can opener



March 8, 1955 w BALSON 2,703,448

ELECTRIC CAN OPENER Filed April 16, 1954 IN VEN TOR. waxy v J fizww United States Patent ELECTRIC CAN OPENER William J. Balson, Paterson, N. J., assignor of fifty per cent to Paul Tnlenko, West Paterson, N. J.

Application April 16, 1954, Serial No. 423,785

1 Claim. (Cl. 30-4) This invention relates to can openers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric can opener particularly adapted for cutting cans in restaurants, diners, luncheonettes and the like, and which can also be used in the home.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric can opener which will cut the cans smoothly and quickly upon the mere flipping of a switch, the device cutting cans of all sizes and also adaptable for cutting square cans.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric can opener wherein either the electric motor or can opener portions may be easily and readily slipped out of position for quick repair.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an electric can opener having the above objects in mind which is simple in construction, has a minimum number of parts, easy to use, durable, and effective and efficient in use.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the driving linkage;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, represents a base having the upwardly extending lugs 11 secured along one longitudinal edge, a plate 12 of a mechanical can opener indicated generally at 13 being secured to the lugs 11 by means of screws 14. The can opener 13 is of a well known design and includes a gear 15 mounted upon a shaft 16 journalled in plate 12, an adjustable cutting disc 17 being journalled, a bracket 18 mounted on the side of the plate 12, the movement of the cutting disc 17 to and from the gear 15 being controlled by a handle 19 in the usual manner of such constructions.

As shown in Fig. 2, a disc 20 is keyed to the shaft 16 2,703,448 Patented Mar. 8, 1955 ice adjacent handle 19 and is integrally formed with a circular lug 21 on the outer face thereof which fits within a slot 22, provided in the drive shaft 23 of a motor 24,

the motor 24 including a suitable gear reduction mechanism, not shown. The motor 24 is of conventional design and includes a speed control knob 25, as shown in A switch 26 is mounted on the plate 12 and includes an operable button 27 (Fig. 1) whereby to control the operation of the drive shaft 23.

A double bracket 28 is fixedly mounted on the side of the motor casing 29 and fixedly mounts a cylindrical bearing member 30 therebetween. A vertical pin 31 extends upwardly within the bearing member 30 in freely spaced relationship thereto to permit play, the bottom of pin 31 being mounted on the base 10 by means of a sleeve 32, threaded stud 33 and nut 34 (Fig. 4). The motor 24 includes an electric cord 35 for supplying power thereto which extends downwardly through an opening 36 in base 10, the cord 35 passing upwardly through an opening 37 and terminating in a male plug 38 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of power. A vertical pin 39 is fixedly mounted in the base 10 on the other side of the casing and abuts the intersection of the latter with the shaft housing 40 whereby to anchor the device firmly.

It will be noted that when the lug 21 is in a vertical position, the entire motor 24 may be moved upwardly and removed for repair, and as easily replaced to be secured by pins 31 and 39. The can opener 13 may also be easily removed by removing screws 14 to permit quick and ready repair, and the easy replacement thereof.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, what is claimed is:

An electric can opener comprising a base member, an electric motor mounted on said base and including a slotted drive shaft, a mechanical can opener mounted on said base and including a gear shaft, a plate keyed onto said gear shaft, and a lug on said plate adapted to fit within said slotted drive shaft, said motor being removably mounted on said base upon a plurality of vertical pins secured to said base and removable therefrom when said lug is in a substantially vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,939,349 Holman Dec. 12, 1933 2,555,931 Raab June 5, 1951 2,595,162 Nessler Apr. 29, 1952 2,662,278 Karwacki Dec. 15, 1953 

